My querying is really rolling now. Know how I can tell? I got my first rejections.
“Pleased” isn’t exactly the word – every query goes out with the hope of success. I can’t even say I’m relieved, which given that I hate not knowing where I stand is a novel experience.
But I feel like I’ve passed some kind of writerly milestone. It’s one thing to write for myself, another to share it with people I know, but sending it out into the world for a chance at having it be a printed and bound book I can put on a shelf seems a step beyond.
Rejection is part of the process. Just as I can’t fence hoping to medal/make gold every time, I can’t expect every query to end in offers of representation. Most of them won’t.
I just hope I can maintain my good humor as the rejections stack up.
Just keep in mind, it’s not necessarily you or your work. Sometimes it’s the agent’s existing workload, or a mismatch between your subject or genre and their specialty. Don’t take it as a judgment on what you’ve accomplished, just a nudge toward the eventual ‘yes.’ Easy words from someone who’s still dreaming of getting to where you are now, I know! But I believe you’ll get there.
That’s exactly what one of the replies said – essentially “it’s not you, it’s me.” And that is fine – I’d rather have no agent instead of one who is lukewarm about my book.